The Good Life

P1 WIMAX’s vulgar ad

Apparently a group of people are not happy with P1’s new “potong” advert and have lodge a complaint with the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF). Below is the news article from New Straits Times.

PUTRAJAYA: The popular potong advertisement by P1 Wimax may land the advertiser in trouble.
Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF) said it was scrutinising the advertisement aired on television and radio.

While refusing to reveal the number of complaints received, he said CMCF would act against such an advertisement, including action like “taking it down”.

“Under our Content Code, if there is a breach and the advertisement is found to be offensive, we can remove it,” he said.

CMCF is empowered to issue a written reprimand and impose a fine of not more than RM50,000 for offensive advertisements.

CMCF can also refer the offending party to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as the umbrella regulatory body for further action.

The P1 Wimax broadband advertisement created an uproar over its liberal use of the word potong (cut).

Although the advertisement could be a tongue-in-cheek suggestion for viewers and listeners to “cut the wires” and “cut the hidden charges”, members of parliament are calling for the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry to pull the plug on it.

Datuk Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) had previously said in Parliament that potong somehow brings a vulgar connotation for some people because it is a colloquial way of referring to circumcision.

Meanwhile, Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Senator Heng Seai Kie said the advertisement had been reviewed by the National Censorship Board even before it was aired. She said it had passed the strict censorship code imposed by the board.